HARRISBURG – Continuing to fight for Pennsylvania homeowners who are struggling to keep their homes due to increasing school property taxes, Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48) and Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) have introduced a constitutional amendment to eliminate the burdensome tax.
Senate Bill 929 would prohibit school districts from collecting property taxes beginning on July 1, 2029. The General Assembly would be required to find alternative methods to fund Pennsylvania’s public school system.
“It is outrageous and unacceptable that property taxes are causing Pennsylvanians to lose their homes,” said Gebhard. “We must act now to end the suffering so many people are facing because their property tax bills keep going up. The people of Pennsylvania deserve to have a direct voice on this issue, which is why we introduced this bill as a constitutional amendment, putting the final decision on property tax elimination in the hands of the voters. Homeownership is a long-term goal for countless Pennsylvanians who are striving to achieve the American Dream. No tax should ever lead to our residents having to face homelessness.”
“It is ludicrous that Pennsylvanians are being forced to pay rent—disguised as property taxes—on land they own,” said Mastriano. “This must end. Now.
“Each year, thousands of our seniors—men and women who worked their entire lives, paid off their homes and played by the rules—are being thrown out of those very homes simply because they can’t keep up with an ever-growing tax bill. This is not just a financial issue—it’s a moral crisis. When it comes down to a choice between paying for insulin or paying the government to stay in your own home, something in our system is broken. If you own your land, why should you have to pay the government every year for the right to keep what is already yours?
“I’m proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Senator Gebhard on this legislation—because enough is enough. It’s time we stop punishing homeowners for owning a piece of the American dream. We will not rest until this burden is lifted and justice is restored for our retirees, our families and all those who simply want to live in peace in the homes they rightfully own.”
After this proposed constitutional amendment is approved by the General Assembly during two consecutive legislative sessions, it will be placed on the ballot. It will then be up to Pennsylvania voters to decide if school taxes should be eliminated in the commonwealth.
CONTACT: Alex Gamble (Gebhard)
Donald Beishl (Mastriano)